Topics

Written by Monty Norman and arranged by John Barry back in 1962, the instrumental classic — instantly and unmistakably identifed by its dum di-di dum-dum surf-guitar lick and suspenseful bassline — has been part of every official Bond film made, from Dr. No to Quantum of Solace (and presumably Skyfall). Over the past half-century, it has been played by symphonies and on synthesizers. It has been covered by everyone from Moby to Cannibal Corpse. It is without a doubt one of the most distinctive and unforgettable pieces of music in movie history.

The other 22 Bond title songs? Well, let’s just say some leave you more shaken than stirred — and a few make you wish you had a licence to kill.

“When you’ve got a job to do, you’ve got to do it well,” sings Macca. The ex-Beatle takes his own advice on this propulsive blast of dynamic arena-rock. It’s so good that even some goofy lyrics, a mid-song reggae breakdown and a subsequent Guns N’ Roses cover cannot taint it.

2 | Goldfinger by Shirley Bassey (1964)

The clarion call horns, the rich strings, the brassy Miss Bassey spitting out “Gooold-fing-GAH!!|” like she caught him lifting her purse; this one has it all. No wonder it’s in the Grammy Hall of Fame. Fun fact: Jimmy Page reportedly plays guitar.

3 | Diamonds Are Forever by Shirley Bassey (1971)

Never say never again. Bassey returned with this seductive siren song, though producer Harry Saltzman allegedly hated its sexual innuendo. Kanye West knew better; he borrowed from it for Diamonds From Sierra Leone.

4 | Die Another Day by Madonna (2002)

Her Madgesty did no disservice to the franchise with this bit of electronica co-created with French producer Mirwais. In typical Madonna fashion, the polarizing cut was nominated for a Golden Globe, a Grammy — and a Golden Raspberry.

5 | Nobody Does it Better by Carly Simon (1977)

Baby, it’s the best. One of the few Bond themes not named for its movie — though songwriters Marvin Hamlisch and Carole Bayer Sager did work the title The Spy Who Loved Me into the lyrics — Simon’s post-coital ballad earned an Oscar nom.

6 | A View to a Kill by Duran Duran (1985)

The Durannies’ slice of synth-heavy ’80s pop written with longtime Bond composer John Barry remains the only Bond theme to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart. So there.

7 | Thunderball by Tom Jones (1965)

Penned at the last minute — after a title change from Mr. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang — the aquatic number had a final high note that even left big-lunged Welsh belter Jones gasping for air.

8 | The World Is Not Enough by Garbage (1999)

A marriage of the old-school Bond sound and electronica — plus a suitably sultry vocal from Shirley Manson — makes this one of the few modern themes that can stand next to the classics.

9 | On Her Majesty's Secret Service by Louis Armstrong (1969)

Satchmo’s romantic, string-sweetened pop ballad is officially the unfortunately titled film’s secondary theme. It’s also the final song the jazz icon recorded before his death.

10 | You Only Live Twice by Nancy Sinatra (1967)

Sinatra’s moody, wistful contribution is one of the most widely covered Bond numbers — Coldplay, Björk, Soft Cell and several others have tackled it.